The Wausau Area Chamber of Commerce dates to the formation of an organization known as the Wausau Advancement Association on March 11, 1912. This organization had a membership open to all citizens interested in the commercial, industrial, and social welfare of Wausau. Its activities included involvement in the movement to start a local building and loan association, area road improvement, acquisition of equitable freight rates, and the extension of street car lines. In 1914 it was responsible for the adoption of the slogan “Work for Wausau” in order to promote local industrial growth. On May 8, 1916 the Advancement Association voted to join another local organization, the Wausau Merchants and Manufacturers Association, the precise origins of which are uncertain. Shortly thereafter the merged group officially adopted the name Wausau Chamber of Commerce. In 1961 interest in the economic growth of a larger area was reflected in a new name, the Wausau Area Chamber of Commerce.
Among the chamber's original objectives were industrial development, community improvement, and maintenance of a favorable business climate. It worked to fulfill these goals by promoting downtown renewal, urging industrial relocation in Wausau, influencing legislative action, expanding local transportation and shipping facilities, and supervising the development of Rib Mountain Recreational Area as the leading tourist attraction in Marathon County. Civic improvement was emphasized and members played an active role in promoting new health and educational institutions. In 1966 efforts to promote fire protection and safety led to the designation of Wausau as the premier city in Wisconsin by the National Fire Protection Association.
From its early days the Chamber maintained a number of subsidiary corporations and councils in order to give more specialized attention to particular objectives. These include the Downtown Business Association, the Manufacturers' Council, Marathon County Civic Corporation, Marathon County Economic Development Council, the Personnel Association, the Retail Council, and the Wausau Area Development Corporation. The Chamber continues as an agency working on behalf of the Wausau area business community.
